Gang,
You guys/girls have been so helpful on so many topics that I thought I'd turn to this forum for initial advise for a good friend of mine. Here's the scoop:

He bought a 1991 MB 300SL with approximately 50K miles, after having his "trusted" multi-year-independent-luxury-car-service-shop check it out. Essentially, the guy told him that about $3K worth of work would bring this car up to "well-serviced" condition. So my friend haggled the purchase price down some and then turned the car over to this shop for said repairs.

Shortly after picking up his car from the shop - 35 hours later to be exact - the car threw a rod. My friend is wondering if the shop mechanic may have made a mistake or cut a corner somewhere that could have caused this failure. He is looking to negotiate free labor for a new block/oil pan install. (The rod exited right between the oil pan and the block - cracking the block as it went.) The main repair work that seems related (to both of us non-car guys) is the complete removal of the tranmission for reseal and replacing the valve cover gasket at the front upper timing cover.

So, gang, here's the $6K question(s):
What can cause a rod to throw (in as close to layman's terms as possible)?
Could this work be related to the failure? Percentage of likelihood?
Anyone know approximately how many labor hours it should take to replace the long block in a 300SL?
Finally, anyone know of a site like this one for my friend to turn too?

Thanks in advance!!!

----------------------
Work performed:

6 Cylinder 3.0L Engine

Work Completed:
Major Service with micro-filter and coolant/brake fluid flush
Replaced Radiator
Transmission leak at transmission cooler lines and front pump of transmission. Replaced lines and removed transmission for complete reseal. Completed as needed and renewed fluid.
Oil leak at front upper timing cover. Resealed as needed with valve cover gasket.

 

Well from the service being completed I dont see how the mechanice did anything to the block!!!!!!! Its a used car right hmmmm you should look at the service work done on the car prior to service!!!!!! Maybe thats why it was in a used car lot or previous owner kept a secret!!!! Remember getting a used car is buying someone elses headaches!!!!

 

Isn't it a law in some states for used cars to have a warranty of some sort?

 

It seems the service had nothing to do with the block. I bet the car had a slight engine knock and the rod was about to go. I doubt it is a law to have a warranty as I see many ads 'sold as is'. Let us hope he got a warranty.